Katja Bentzen returns to Palm Beach, this time on the Avenue!

During her first visit to Palm Beach in February, Katja Bentzen spent most of her time in Wellington among the equestrian community. Katja was immediately snapped up by Lourdes de Guardiola to participate at Milou’s pop up at International Polo Club. Her success at IPC kept her occupied with private appointments among the horsey set. She left too many of us on this side of the tracks wanting for more…

So, now that the St Barths Bucket Regatta is over, Katja answered my pleas to return and agreed with a 3 day trunk show at Eye of the Needle in Palm Beach. Pearl aficionados will also have the opportunity to meet Katja, select their favorite pearls and request a customized design tailored specifically for them. Katja will be at Eye of the Needle, 313 Worth Avenue Thursday April 4- Saturday April 7th

A St. Barth’s Staple

St. Barth’s regulars who are ‘in the know’ have three things they absolutely must do during their visit to the fashionable destination: Pick up food to go at Mayas for a picnic in Colombier or Saline; enjoy lunch and several bottles of rosé at La Plage and a visit to the Cheval Blanc Isle de France Hotel to purchase one of Katja’s latest creations. Coming home from St. Barth’s without a new signature leather and pearl piece is absolutely out of the question for many of us!

Katja has been the exclusive supplier of exquisite pearl, mother of pearl and vermeil creations to the Cheval Blanc Isle de France (formerly Hotel Isle de France) for the last 15 years. Katja uses only the best pearls from Tahiti and the South Seas with AAA lustre and shine, which she personally selects during her regular trips to the islands. Katja imports the finest quality supple leather from Australia which she hand prepares for each piece she creates.

I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I visited Katja at her studio in St. Barth’s— a pearl lover’s paradise! My boyfriend spent close to two hours selecting the perfect shades of grey resulting in my favorite piece ever: the perfect Tahitian pearl and leather necklace.

Mother of Pearl Clover Collection

About Katja Bentzen

Katja was born in Sweden and after moving to several countries with her family, she ended up in the Canary Islands, where her desire to go sailing and traveling was born. She was originally trained in London to restore antique kilims tapestry and it was here that her interest for jewelry and fashion blossomed. Katja spent her winters between the islands of St Barth’s and Antigua and summers in Newport RI, where she worked for the Restoration Society bringing rugs and tapestries back to life for the mansions on Ocean Drive. She used the knotting techniques for restoring these tapestries to create her pearl jewelry.Whilst sailing around the oceans Katja discovered the pearls from Tahiti and the South Seas and began using them to create the pearl jewelry that she is so renowned for today. visit website

https://altimapalmbeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DSC038281.jpg6751200altimahttps://altimapalmbeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/logo6.pngaltima2018-03-28 19:30:062018-04-27 00:55:37Back from St. Barth's with New PiecesKatja Bentzen stops at Eye of the Needle

Thursday nights means its After Dark Night at Meat Market

Inarguably one of the hottest restaurants in Palm Beach, Meat Market, has earned rave reviews since its opening for its contemporary cuisine, creative cocktails and bustling atmosphere. Since launching “Meat Market After Dark” in 2016, the contemporary steakhouse has been the island’s go-to for live beats and late night eats on Thursday nights. Now, the restaurant’s flagship location in Miami, Meat Market Miami Beach, is turning down the lights and turning up the music for “Meat Market After Dark.”

Modeled after the insanely popular Meat Market After Dark in Palm Beach, the chic restaurant will keep the vibes going into the wee hours with a revolving door of DJs, musicians and special guests. Also available will be a menu replete with delectable bites by chef/co-owner Sean Brasel and refreshing handcrafted cocktails like the White Sangria – Belvedere Peach Nectar, St. Germain, pineapple, orange juice and sparkling Rosé; Pimm’s Cup with Pimm’s No. 9, cucumber and fresh citrus; and the MM Mojito, made with Bacardi Superior Rum, fresh citrus, simple syrup and fresh mint. Menu highlights include the MM Slider Duo with Kobe beef, bacon and gouda cheese; Tuna Tartare with ginger, soy, avocado smash and mango mole; and the famed Gouda Tater Tots served with garlic aioli.

Guests can take in the sounds and beats from the upscale dining room, highlighting South Beach style and sophistication. Meat Market is located at 915 Lincoln Road on South Beach.

Is the Crypto fad going away? Or is Blockchain technology here to stay?

Whether you’re a skeptic, a Bitcoin bull, or still have no idea what Blockchain is, come to the Preservation Foundation on March 26th for an informational reception hosted by Jefferson Capital. Former CNN International Anchor and Correspondent, Felicia Taylor, will moderate the first in a series of symposiums.

“This technology will likely change the future of how we exchange assets,” Taylor said. “And it is vital that we understand how it will be used.”

Timothy Myers, a blockchain programmer and consultant, will feature as a speaker. He has worked with major financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, helping them incorporate this technology in their existing systems. During his presentation, Myers will share why he believes Blockchain integration across all businesses is inevitable.

Robert Riva and Michael Margaritoff, managing partners of Jefferson Capital, offer their own insight into the potential utility of digital assets. In addition, they will lead the audience in a round of debate and discussion.

Only 20 seats left for the inaugural reception. If you would like to attend this event or other upcoming presentations Please email: info@jeffersoncapital.info

(Please do not call Preservation Foundation for reservations. Information and Reservations only available through contacting info@jeffersoncapital.info ) You may also call 561 833 8283 and someone will get back to you

Ali MacGraw transcends borders and empowers women

All my life I’ve had respect for this fabulous down to earth and generous woman. So when I received an invitation from Lars Bolander,Nadine Kalachnikoff and Todd Hase to meet her and learn about Ibu movement, I was thrilled! After further research, I learned about her instrumental role in this fabulous organization and my admiration grew to a whole new level. I look forward to meeting Ms. MacGraw next Thursday, adding fabulous unique and affordable pieces to my wardrobe and more importantly, I look forward to supporting such an important and often too forgotten cause: empowering women most in need. All proceeds from sales will benefit Ibu Movement.

Ibu Movement

In the Malay language of Indonesia, Ibu means a woman of respect. The Ibu movement celebrates the imagination and skill of women from around the world, while empowering them and putting money back in to their hands. As an Ambassador designer, Ali Macgraw collaborates with 71 artisan groups in 38 countries, bringing elegant, bold, and powerful handmade luxury for the rest of the world to enjoy.

“When a woman brings money into the household,” says MacGraw. “Suddenly she can’t be treated quite the same way as before.”

The Artisans

Artisans spanning the globe from Guatemala, to Nepal to create, spin, dye and weave their stories in cloth. They create more than beauty as they craft their own independence, educate their children, lead communities and change futures. Just one of these 71 groups crafts and designs in-house about 70% of Ibu’s products, offering unique items found nowhere else. The artisans buy the remaining 30% wholesale, and at a more than fair trade price. This dynamic creates livelihood, collegiality, and bonds of friendship between Ibu allies and artisans.

Ali MacGraw Ibu Movement Collection

Ali’s chic sense of style takes traditional craft from 23 countries around the world, including Ali’s native New Mexico, Uzbekistan, Brazil, to Pakistan to the South Sudan, to a whole other level. “My whole life I have been crazy about wearing and collecting textiles from the four corners of the earth.

In many cases, these things have been passed down for generations. Or at least, the craft has been taught by generations.

So these women live in a cultural continuum that the West doesn’t often see. Our society changes everything immediately, outsourcing things, making things quickly and cheaply. It’s so unappealing in comparison to something made by hand, something that joins you to a group of women from around the globe,” says MacGraw during an interview for interior monologue.

Award-winning builder and developer Great Gulf is introducing La Clara, its inaugural residential project in South Florida.

Located on Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, this luxury tower will offer 84 exceptional residences from 1,460 square feet to over 3,000 square feet. The 25-story tower with architecture and interiors by internationally acclaimed Siamak Hariri Architects will feature breathtaking Intracoastal waterway and Atlantic Ocean views. All residences feature deep private balconies facing south-east toward the water. Flowing interiors with oversized windows and premium finishes represent a contemporary take on Florida modernism. Residents will enjoy exclusive access to amenities including an outdoor swimming pool with cabanas and outdoor dining area, and an indoor fitness center, entertainment room, lounge, private dining room, and kitchen. For more information, please visit A Fresh Look at Luxury at La Clara

About Great Gulf

Established in 1975, the Great Gulf Group of companies including Great Gulf Homes an international award-winning, low-rise and landmark high-rise residential developer providing 50,000 families with places to call home as well as Ashton Woods Homes, the 3rd largest private builder and 18th largest in the U.S. With major projects in Canada and the United States, the company’s fully-integrated activities span the entire real estate spectrum.

Ballet Florida presents ‘Reawakening’ on March 24th

For those who revered Ballet Florida as a vibrant player in the local arts scene since it was founded by Marie Hale in 1985 and mourned its closing in 2009 after 23 seasons of well received performances in West Palm Beach as well as New York and Europe – there is great news! Ballet Florida is back!

Lauren Carey, 28, of West Palm Beach, an alumnus of both Ballet Florida and Dreyfoos School of the Arts, is the president and artistic director of the newly resurrected local dance company. Joining her in the effort is Guy Palmer as creative director and her sister Lyndsey Carey, as director of outreach.

Ballet Florida’s mission is to create new work while performing a selection of timeless classics. By housing collaborative projects between dancers, choreographers, visual artists, musicians, composers, multi-media artists, designers and other art forms, we develop and showcase a versatile dance medium.

Dance as an art form is changing and evolving,” Carey continued. “It is unrealistic to think that a company will survive merely by producing performances audiences have seen time and time again in the same venues. Ballet Florida will complement the classics with new offerings designed to stretch the artistic boundaries of our company.”

Programs by Ballet Florida include full-length evenings performed in traditional theaters,contrasted by intimate non-traditional environments. “We hope to reach all generations and cultures through our dancing while opening the minds of those who have not yet had the opportunity to experience this spectacular art form,” Carey said.

The Ballet Florida company will perform a mixed program “Reawakening” on March 24at 8 p.m. at The Kravis Center’s Persson Hall. The program will feature home grown artists such as Kyra Jean Green, now of Montreal Canada, Guy Palmer a former Ballet Florida scholarship student under the direction of Marie Hale and now Ballet Florida’s Creative Director, Artistic Director Lauren Carey, and former Ballet Florida company member (under the direction of Marie Hale) Jerry Opdenaker, among other guest artists. Carey’s new work “Vessel” features a collaboration with local visual artist Charles Bane who has created an original creative set for the piece. All of the dancers, choreographers and collaborating artists in this upcoming performance have a connection to South Florida.